Deadly tornado batters Texas, wreaks havoc
At least three people have been killed and up to 100 others injured after a tornado ravaged across Texas.
-
Damaged pickup trucks sit among debris after a tornado passed through a residential area in Perryton, Texas, on Thursday. (AP)
A "horrific" tornado ravaged a northern Texas town Thursday causing widespread damage, with reports that at least three people were killed and up to 100 others injured.
Several million Americans across multiple southern and midwestern states were under severe weather alerts as hazardous storms fueled by high temperatures ravaged across the region, bringing tornadoes, thunderstorms, and hail the size of golf balls.
It is worth noting that tornado, severe thunderstorms, and flash flood warnings were reportedly in effect in parts of Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Florida.
A dangerous tornado ravaged Perryton, a town of some 8,000 people in the Texas Panhandle, on Thursday evening with storm-chaser drone video showing several buildings including mobile homes destroyed or damaged, trees uprooted, and vehicles overturned.
Perryton, #Texas #tornado damage. Video by Jaxon Lehnert pic.twitter.com/pJ1DueVm3d
— Kaitlin Wright (@wxkaitlin) June 16, 2023
In a statement, Governor Greg Abbott said, "Texas is swiftly deploying critical emergency response resources to provide all necessary support and assistance to protect Texans and help those impacted by tornadoes in Perryton."
"I ask all Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for our fellow Texans who have been impacted by this horrific storm. Stay safe, Texas," he added.
On its account, the National Weather Service reported a tornado watch was in effect for parts of north and central Texas, including Dallas, which is home to 1.2 million people.
Here comes the wall of not fun for the Metroplex. Storm near Denton has quarter sized hail and 70 mph winds. Storm may try to come down 35E into the heart of Dallas.
— WeatherScope (@wxscope_oktx) June 16, 2023
Tornado warning ongoing in Anna and Melissa, will skirt the outer parts of DFW #dfwwx #txwx pic.twitter.com/rjz5KwM3FO
"Large hail and damaging wind gusts are the main threats, but a tornado or two can't be ruled out," NWS said in a statement.
This area of the US is home to frequent tornadoes. In March, tornadoes left over 200,000 people without electricity in Texas.
